IN THE NEWS

Recently, Hoover chose not to reduce its grocery tax from 3.5% to 3%, citing "complex state statutes" as the reason. This excuse came from the city’s CFO, who earns over $250,000 annually. Yet cities with much smaller budgets, like Clay, Ala., have successfully implemented grocery tax reductions. Even the state of Alabama reduced its grocery tax from 4% to 3% in 2023, proving that cutting the tax is not impossible.

A group of Hoover residents plan to address the city council Monday with their concerns regarding the city’s recent forensic audit. The residents claim their questions surrounding the audit aren’t being answered and they say they want an opportunity to be heard. Hoover resident Ken King is part of this group called Our Hoover.

Tensions ran high at the Hoover City Council meeting during the public comment portion Monday night. While the mayor insists findings of a recent forensic audit shows no wrongdoing, some residents remain unconvinced. “I’ll keep asking the same straightforward questions: Where are the emails, Mr. Mayor? Where is the $30 million that was overstated in the general fund? That’s all. Thank you,” said Ken King during the meeting. King questioned the results of a forensic audit conducted by an external agency, which examined the city’s financial records beyond the scope of the annual audit.